“Scarcity of water on account of its increased demand, possess possibility the greatest demand in India.” Analyse the statement.

The scarcity of water originates when the available water is not sufficient for the total population. The available pure water originates from the mountains. The quality of water is very good in the mountains as the major river a system of the country originates in the mountains. The water resources would be less exploited in the mountain regions. But when the rivers enter the plains and deltas, the excessive use of water for agricultural purposes has resulted in the depletion of the water table. The overuse of fertilisers and pesticides has resulted in the pollution of the major river systems. Thus the quality of water is good in the mountains and poor in the plains.

Water scarcity is possible to pose the greatest challenge on account of its increased demand coupled with shrinking supplies due to overutilization and pollution. Water is a cyclic resource with plentiful supplies on the globe. Approximately, 71 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with it but fresh water constitutes only about 3 per cent of the total water.

There is the only a small portion of water which can be used for drinking for the whole world, even though the planet is blue; a very small share of fresh water is effectively available for human use. The ease of use of fresh water varies over space and time. The tensions and disputes on sharing and control of this scarce resource are becoming contested issues among communities, regions, and states. The evaluation, efficient use and conservation of water, therefore, increase into necessary to guarantee development.

The scarcity starts when there is a shortage of water because of the high population. The available water resource in India accounts for about 2.45 per cent of the world's surface area, 4 per cent of the world’s water resources and about 16 per cent of the world's population. The total water available from rainfall in the country in a year is about 4,000 cubic km. The availability of surface water and replenishable groundwater is 1,869 cubic km. Out of this only 60 per cent can be put to advantageous uses. Thus, the total utilizable water resource in the country is only 1,122 cubic km.

Thus the water scarcity is available because of the higher population growth in the countries where the water resources are very less.